Now that we have an empty bedroom, I got the green light from the wifey to remodel/design a fitness room. I have a weight set and am looking to add a treadmill and a trainer for my road bike. And a flat panel TV to hang on the wall. Woohoo!

Anybody have recommendations on treadmills and/or trainers? TIA.

Oh, and feel free to give flat panel TV advice also. I am wondering what size would be optimal for a treadmill to wall viewing distance. I am guessing 26" or maybe 31" max. HD of course.

__________________"...the arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice." Martin Luther King, Jr.

With the trainer, you shouldn't spend more that $100-150 for a magnetic or fluid resistance model. Any brand and make would be okay. Check out Performance. They usually have some decent deals on this kind of thing.

If you really want a nice set-up for biking, get a computrainer. This is a computer adjusted resistance unit that has it all, including pre-programmed Tour de Frances stages to ride. You can get either a traditional resistance unit, or you can get something more like a stationary bike. Here you're probably looking more in the $500-2000 range.

I don't know much about treadmills. Personally I despise them and would rather run outdoors year-round. But we get a good snowfall once every 2 or 3 years, so all I ever have to deal with is the occasional freezing temps and rain.

With the trainer, you shouldn't spend more that $100-150 for a magnetic or fluid resistance model. Any brand and make would be okay. Check out Performance. They usually have some decent deals on this kind of thing.

If you really want a nice set-up for biking, get a computrainer. This is a computer adjusted resistance unit that has it all, including pre-programmed Tour de Frances stages to ride. You can get either a traditional resistance unit, or you can get something more like a stationary bike. Here you're probably looking more in the $500-2000 range.

I don't know much about treadmills. Personally I despise them and would rather run outdoors year-round. But we get a good snowfall once every 2 or 3 years, so all I ever have to deal with is the occasional freezing temps and rain.

Thanks. Wow, that computrainer looks very cool. That is tempting.

We get lots of snow and ice here so it is tough to run outside in the winter. I don't mind treadmills. Especially if I can watch the news or something.

__________________"...the arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice." Martin Luther King, Jr.

We've had a Pro Form treadmill since 2004. It's been good, but it only gets used once in a while, mostly in winter. It had a part that went out after about a month, that they came and replaced. In talking with other people who have Pro Forms, that's a pretty common thing, apparently. I personally believe that these treadmill manufacturers put crappy cheap parts in them, knowing that most people will end up using it as a coat rack. It's probably cheaper for them to pay a guy to go replace the part than to put more reliable parts in there to begin with.

We've had a Pro Form treadmill since 2004. It's been good, but it only gets used once in a while, mostly in winter. It had a part that went out after about a month, that they came and replaced. In talking with other people who have Pro Forms, that's a pretty common thing, apparently. I personally believe that these treadmill manufacturers put crappy cheap parts in them, knowing that most people will end up using it as a coat rack. It's probably cheaper for them to pay a guy to go replace the part than to put more reliable parts in there to begin with.

Thanks. It is interesting to compare this list to the one in consumerreports.org.

__________________"...the arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice." Martin Luther King, Jr.

The NordicTrac treadmill at Costco has received great reviews though it is quite inexpensive. Plus you get the peace of mind of Costco's return policy. I have been looking at it for Gidget. Though at your fitness level you may want something more substantial.

__________________
Ernie Johnson: "Auburn is a pretty good school. To graduate from there I suppose you really need to work hard and put forth maximum effort."